Neymar 'Ready' to Replace Injured Lionel Messi, Says Barcelona's Dani Alves

Dani Alves believes his compatriot, Barcelona's superstar summer signing Neymar, is the ideal player to take over for Lionel Messi during the Argentine's injury layoff, as reported by Dermot Corrigan of ESPN.

The Brazilian wing-back has been impressed by Neymar's impact since joining the Catalans from Santos. The tricky forward has scored four goals and made seven assists in 11 La Liga games to date, per ESPN FC.

Alves was quoted saying:

"

Neymar is always ready. He knows how important he is for Barcelona. He is aware that he was signed for things like this.

With Messi’s injury, someone must take on this role, and Neymar is ready. For his name, and his qualities, he will be this player. I am sure he will give a positive response.

"

Neymar will need to improve his already impressive numbers if he is to take on the slack left by Messi, who has been ruled out for two months, per the club's official website.

A more central position would help Neymar both score and create more goals for his new team, but he may need the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sánchez and Pedro to help him carry the load.

Indeed, former Arsenal midfielder Fabregas was able to find the net twice in Barcelona's 4-1 win over Real Betis in La Liga at the weekend, with Neymar grabbing the opening goal.

Neymar has been used on the left side on Barca's attack so far this season, affording him more time and space upon receiving the ball. Liverpool have done a similar thing with Philippe Coutinho.

The danger of moving him inside is that he will find himself receiving the ball with back to goal more frequently, although the Brazilian certainly has the skill and technique to deal with such a situation.

Whatever Barcelona's solution will be, Neymar will certainly need to play a big part, whether that is as a stand-in frontman for Messi or as a component in a group effort to keep the team's attack afloat.

This is a big test for the club's new head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who must find a way to progress that proves the club is not reliant upon Messi.

The Argentinian has regularly been affected by muscular injuries this term, so Martino needs a system that is not built around the world's top player.

It's likely that Tata will experiment by playing Fabregas as a false nine as well as thrusting Neymar centre stage before he makes a decision on how best to proceed.